Even If You're My Senior, It's Still Forbidden - Chapter 9

“Is the clothing alright? Should I try mending it?” Su Jin’an hesitantly reached toward the garment scorched by flames. The entire sleeve was covered in burn marks, leaving her at a loss. Mending clothes seemed nearly impossible for her better to wait until they had money to buy a new one.

She clasped her hands behind her back and shook her head. “It’s fine, just a piece of clothing.”

“I’ll go change into another one.” Ji Weining pulled out an identical outfit from her Qiankun pouch. “I have plenty of these. I used to handle them carelessly and ruined many, so I stick to the simplest ones now.”

Spotting a set of enchanted robes in the pouch, she added, “I also have some enchanted garments for when I travel. If you ever need to go out, I’ll definitely prepare a set for you.”

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead, Senior Sister.” After all, she had no intention of leaving at the moment. Given her current state, venturing out would likely lead to trouble.

Ji Weining said, “Go to sleep early. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to register.”

“Mm.”

“Then where will you sleep, Senior Sister?” Su Jin’an sat down on the bed. Some things couldn’t be rushed; it was better to rest now and continue tomorrow.

Ji Weining remained seated on the couch, unmoving. Bound by the divine decree, she couldn’t leave her junior sister’s room even if she wanted to. Staying here was just as well, she could keep an eye on her junior sister in case anything happened. With her bell nearby, she wasn’t too worried about any life-threatening dangers. Patting the chair, she indicated, “I’ll just sit here.”

Su Jin’an wasn’t used to sharing a bed with others. Back home, even her maids had to wait outside her door. Given her current condition, it was indeed safer for her senior sister to stay close, as she had suggested. “Senior Sister, come sleep here. I’ll move further in. The bed is spacious enough for you.”

Su Jin’an shifted inward, sitting against the inner side of the bed, and pulled the quilt over herself, leaving enough space for one person beside her as an invitation.

Hearing this, Ji Weining didn’t hesitate. If her junior sister was offering, why refuse? She had to accept her kindness. After changing behind the screen, she lay down beside her.

“Am I causing you too much trouble, Senior Sister?” Su Jin’an asked softly, turning toward Ji Weining under the covers.

With only an arm’s width between them, their shoulders nearly touching, Ji Weining also turned to face her. Their eyes met, neither avoiding the other’s gaze.

Ji Weining replied, “I’ve never taken care of anyone before. You’re the first person I’ve looked after. Besides, as sisters, we should take care of each other, right?”

Su Jin’an responded with a soft, “Okay.”

Outside, the night wind rustled. As summer approached, the days grew warmer, and a cool breeze slipped through the slightly ajar doors and windows, bringing a refreshing chill into the room.

Ji Weining tugged the quilt higher, accidentally brushing against Su Jin’an’s fingertips. Noticing her hand was still outside the covers, she drowsily tucked it back in and made sure she was properly covered.

The quilt carried a faint scent, a fresh fragrance that belonged to the person beside her, perhaps from the soap used to wash her hair or simply her natural aroma. That night, Ji Weining slept soundly and sweetly.

Early in the morning, she heard someone calling her name. Ji Weining lowered the arm resting on her forehead and noticed the sky was already bright. Her junior sister was still sleeping peacefully beside her these days of cultivation had indeed been too strenuous for a mortal.

“Weining, Senior Sister.” The voice outside called her name again.

Was that Liu Xiling? She usually didn’t come here, preferring to stay at the main peak with the sect leader. Why was she looking for her today?

Su Jin’an also woke upon hearing the voice. The air in the room felt stuffy, so she kicked the quilt off a few times, squinting as she murmured softly, “Senior Sister, someone is calling for you.”

Ji Weining lifted the quilt, sat up at the edge of the bed, and replied, “Mm, are you getting up, Junior Sister?”

“Yes, I still need to register today. I’ll go with you, Senior Sister,” Su Jin’an said, propping herself up.

Ji Weining glanced back at her. “Alright.”

After adjusting her clothes, Ji Weining went to open the door. Liu Xiling was just about to knock when she emerged. Liu Xiling glanced toward the opposite door of Su Jin’an’s room and asked, “What do you need?”

“Weining!” The person outside turned her head, the words halting on her lips as she noticed the usually aloof senior sister had someone behind her. That person was even wearing Ji Weining’s clothes, collar slightly open, rubbing her eyes as if she had just woken up.

“Junior Sister, this is Liu Xiling, the sect leader’s daughter,” Ji Weining explained softly, noticing her approach.

Su Jin’an had been staying at the Thousand Spirit Residence all this time. Apart from the one outing Ji Weining had taken her on to familiarize her with the area, she knew nothing about these people.

“So, this is your junior sister?” Liu Xiling looked at Su Jin’an curiously. The room opposite had always been unoccupied, why was she here now?

Without needing many words, Liu Xiling understood the situation clearly. In every gesture, Ji Weining showed her fondness for her junior sister. Years ago, she had said that what she was doing wasn’t worth it, and she had stopped ever since. Had she been waiting for a day like this?

Having long let go, now seeing her, the thoughts she thought she should have didn’t surface. At this moment, she simply felt that the junior sister looked like a white camellia very serene and indeed a good match for her senior sister.

Su Jin’an stepped forward with a gentle smile. “Hello, my name is Jin’an. You can call me An’an.”

“I originally wanted to meet you, Junior Sister, but after returning to the sect, I had to rest and recuperate at home and couldn’t make it. Now that I see you, you really are as beautiful as the rumors say.”

Due to her illness, Liu Xiling often visited the Thousand Spirit Residence, making her the person in the sect closest to it.

“Mother also said to bring you something, Junior Sister.” Liu Xiling took out a Qiankun pouch from her sleeve, took Su Jin’an’s hand, and placed it in her palm. “Our Qingheng Mountain doesn’t have many treasures, but these are some trinkets I’ve collected over the years. They might help pass the time.”

Su Jin’an accepted the Qiankun pouch. “Thank you, Senior Sister Xiling.”

“No need for thanks, Junior Sister. I owe the Thousand Spirit Residence a lot. I’m glad you like it,” Liu Xiling waved her hand dismissively.

Ji Weining asked, “What did you need me for, Junior Sister?”

“Weining, Senior Sister, Mother wants to see you. Something has happened in the town.”

Ji Weining furrowed her brow. The town had seen no shortage of incidents over the years, and some matters were indeed quite thorny. “What is it?” she asked.

Liu Xiling wasn’t involved in these affairs, and her mother would never allow her to meddle. With only a vague understanding, she replied, “I’m not entirely sure, but I overheard Mother mention it might be related to demonic energy.”

Ji Weining instinctively glanced at Su Jin’an’s back. Her junior sister had only suffered superficial injuries before, and she was certain it wasn’t caused by demonic energy. Could they determine the cause of her junior sister’s injuries?

She sighed inwardly. The demonic energy had resurfaced in the town, meaning Qingheng Mountain was bound to become restless again.

“The upcoming Selection Tournament leaves no room for error. Only you, Senior Sister, can manage this demonic energy. I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you again,” Liu Xiling said helplessly, regretting her own limited spiritual power and inability to be of much help.

Su Jin’an murmured softly, “I might be able to assist as well.”

“Little Junior Sister, you can help too?” Liu Xiling looked at her in astonishment. For cultivators like them, coming into contact with demonic energy was a grave taboo. At worst, it could cause their cultivation to regress or even shatter their Dao Heart, cutting off their path to immortality forever. No one dared to touch anything related to demonic energy, and no one had found a way to control it. Over the years, countless cultivators had their Dao Hearts destroyed by demonic energy, and the sect strictly forbade its disciples from engaging with it.

“It’s a good opportunity to practice,” Ji Weining said without refusing. Her junior sister needed more training now, and as long as she was there, she would ensure nothing happened to her. Given her junior sister’s unique circumstances, it was better for her to venture out more. Staying here wouldn’t provide the necessary challenges.

“Huh?” Liu Xiling was completely lost, unable to follow their conversation.

Rumors said her junior sister was just an ordinary mortal. But she had always believed the Grand Elder wouldn’t take in someone ordinary, and now she understood. She truly couldn’t compare to her little junior sister.

Su Jin’an asked, “Xiling, would you like to join us?”

Liu Xiling shook her head vigorously. “I wouldn’t dare.”

This was a matter of life and death. Her spiritual power was too weak, after fifty years, she had only reached the Golden Core stage, far behind her peers in the sect.

She studied Su Jin’an carefully. Her little junior sister didn’t seem to possess profound spiritual power either, but she realized it must be her own low cultivation level that prevented her from discerning Su Jin’an’s true realm.

“Then I’ll go register at the outer sect before heading to see the sect leader,” Su Jin’an said.

“Register for what?” Liu Xiling asked, confused.

“Oh, Jin’an plans to participate in the Selection Tournament. It just so happens I’ll be leading the team this time. Junior Brother Zheng has asked me several times, and since my junior sister is joining, I might as well go too.”

“Alright,” Liu Xiling stammered, amazed by her little junior sister’s courage. She had never dared to participate in the Selection Tournament all these years. Perhaps she could give it a try this time. “I’ll go with Little Junior Sister.”

“Come to think of it, Junior Brother Zheng came to see me yesterday, and I haven’t given him an answer yet.” Ji Weining recalled her conversation with Zheng Juhe a few days ago, when she had asked him to approach Liu Xiling. It seemed he had indeed done so.

Ji Weining said, “Alright, I’ll go see the sect leader.”

“Then we’ll head down the mountain,” Su Jin’an said, looking at Ji Weining.

Seeing her hesitate again, Liu Xiling added, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on Little Junior Sister. My spiritual power may be lacking, but I have plenty of useful tools at my disposal.”

“Mm,” Ji Weining acknowledged.

After Ji Weining left, Liu Xiling and Su Jin’an walked down the mountain. She couldn’t help but sigh, “Senior Sister Weining really adores our youngest junior sister.”

Without the slightest hesitation, Su Jin’an replied, “Senior Sister Xiling, you like Senior Sister Weining, don’t you?”

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